A balanced offense

Kearny High's basketball team has many players scoring in double digits

When Kearny High point guard Kendrick Hester brings the basketball upcourt, he has plenty of options.

Unlike teams that rely on one star player to do most of the scoring, the Komets employ a balanced offense in which no one is averaging more than 15 points a game.

“We have an offense that has structure, freedom and flexibility,” coach Carl Bronson said. “Everyone in our starting five has scored in double digits this season.”

Senior Manny Ortiz leads the Komets with an average of about 13 points a game, but no fewer than eight players have scored in double figures. In addition to Ortiz and Hester, Mike Oloya, Dustin Rassavong, Anthony Hancock, Marven Jones, Derrick Beebe and David Ortega have taken turns lighting it up.

“We don't run specific plays for one guy,” Bronson said. “This doesn't allow the defense to key on any one individual.”

It takes pressure off Hester, too.

“I don't care about scoring points or being in the spotlight,” Hester said. “This allows me to focus on playing hard defense and getting assists and steals. It's not eye-catching, but it's what coach wants me to do.”

The offense by committee relieves stress for the scorers.

“We know any one of us can put up points,” Ortiz said. “For me, I can focus more on rebounding.”

Team chemistry and trust are crucial.

“Everybody knows their role,” Ortiz said.

Bronson's favorite quote is one attributed to the late Herb Brooks, former U.S. hockey coach and architect of the “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Bronson recites it to his players often.

“It's the name on the front of the jersey that matters, not the one on the back,” Bronson said. “We try to emphasize the team, and I think we're the true definition of one.”

Oloya sees his teammates as family.

“We're all brothers,” he said. “Our team is balanced, communicates well and knows each other's strengths and weaknesses.”

Kearny began the week 17-4 overall and 7-1 in the Central League. The Komets are preparing for the San Diego Section Division III playoffs, from which they were eliminated in the first round last season.

“Last year we had some guys with egos,” Oloya said. “This year we're more attached to each other.”

Rassavong recognizes the versatility his teammates have and how it correlates to winning basketball games.

“We do what we need to do,” Rassavong said. “We have certain offenses we can run through anybody.”

Despite Kearny's success, Bronson acknowledged he sometimes wishes he had that go-to scorer.

“It would be nice to have that 20-point guy,” Bronson said. “But this is what we have, and we take advantage of it.”